Mug, what do you think a typical Taang "household" looks like? What does a Beifong family's day looks like?
Hi Ronin! Thanks for feeding my inbox! :)
Two words: controlled chaos
As much as their is little structure to any outsider, there is a center to the storm and that happens to be Toph or Aang depending on what kind of storm. These two still live a nomadic lifestyle for most of their lives before and after getting together. Toph splits her time with her Metal Bending academy, joining summits, and resides at the revived western air temple on her off time. The couple often go on trips or sneak off between diplomatic meetings and hangouts with the rest of the Gaang.
Once the kids get in the picture, Toph and Aang decide to raise them with the other air-nomads and acolytes at the temple after at first. That is until Toph's mother begs and promise to spare their summer home for them near the coast that she uses to visit them. Poppy is beloved by the kids, much to Toph's surprise.
The Taang household is a rollercoaster, one minute you're coming in to a civilized family gathering with the acolytes joining in at the temple, and next there's food flying through the air. Toph is pretty much a loose canon, preferring not bossing the kids around unless it's about their lessons or something that she believes needs intervention. The kids behave when their mom is present.
With their dad, that's a different story. Aang is the softer side of the Taang coin which means that the kids will often try to get away with the things when their dad is around. He teaches all of their kids about the air nomad culture and history during the days they stay at the temples. There's a loose schedule that follows the seasons and Aang's planned absence to fulfill his avatar duty where they split their time between the air temples and the Beifong summer estate near Razor reef. They travel more when most of the kids reach a certain age, but stick with more so with Toph since her academy is in one area.
Prank wars are pretty common and anybody can accidentally stumble in between these fights. Katara learned that the hard way when she did a surprise visit and got covered in fruit tarts.
The Taang kids think their parent's are nuts, since they will take any opportunity to embarrass them anywhere. Aang is cheesy and still pulls antics around Toph as payback from the things she does when their alone. The dunebabies find it weird watching their dad woo their mom "like an old monk" (using cheesy lines, poetry, or simple gestures).
dunebaby: "Dad I don't get it! Why bother mom when she's just punches you. Shouldn't you stand up for yourself?"
Aang: "You'll get it one day." *smiles dreamily while rubbing his sore arm*
dunebaby: *absolutely horrified and confused*
It's a warm household full of laugh and arguments at times, but at the end of the day they're all there for each other. A cute and chaotic family.
one day I'll take more about the dunebabies, but that's for another time.
